I’m a great Sting fan. I love his music style and his skill with lyrics. So how great was my joy to find his Berlin Concert, complete with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, as part of the Qantas in-flight entertainment. It was a fabulous concert, filling up my senses and having me at times in tears. I watched it twice and told my wife that I’d love it for Christmas. But here’s the concern. A month earlier I had been into our local prison to facilitate the Sunday services and the lads in the first session had the latest Hillsong DVD which we used for a couple of songs. I’d not seen a Hillsong production for a while and so I was suitably impressed with the whole production, the smoky blue effects, the crowd angles, the music style, so professional, so drawing. I enjoyed it, worshipped to it and thought of some teenagers I’d love to get it for.

Have you already got my drift though? I don’t have any doubt at all about the integrity of the producers of the video BUT … when you put together a team of amazing musicians, skilful writers and a brilliant audio and visual team you have to finish up with a successful product that has all the dangers of leavings its participants emotionally high but not necessarily engaged with God in a life changing encounter that continues after the lights have faded. Especially when churches all over the country see Hillsong as the benchmark and are trying to replicate their style, all in the name of a spirit of ‘excellence’. So the push for talent in the worship team becomes a subtle mini version of Australian Idol and the expectations of an entertainment-driven generation of young churchgoers are catered for and driven higher. And we confuse the results for worship that pleases God.

And here I am reminded of David trying to bring the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6), on a ‘new cart’ (driven by the spirit of excellence?) replete with a plethora of professional musicians and skillful music that would surely rival heaven – but God was not in it. Indeed it was not until this new thing stumbled and God’s wrath burned against Uzzah for trying to keep it going, that the participants, as earnest as they surely were, were even remotely aware that their ’worship’ fell far short of God’s measure of excellence.

What was missing was the blood (verse 16). God’s presence is not brought down by highly skilled (and sometimes unknowingly ego-driven) musicians and polished performances but is carried each day by New Testament priests (ordinary believers) who are dead to performance driven religion and who’s worship is more about service than singing. Such worshippers do not need a professional song-leading team every Sunday and are quite satisfied with a poorer but sometimes more honest worship session when they do get it. Indeed such a genuine mixture of sacrificial service and heartfelt singing makes a big noise in heaven whether it is accompanied by excellence or not.

So will it be Sting or Hillsong at Christmas? Hopefully both. I’ve no doubt that God raised Hillsong for His purposes. And just as David “served the purposes of God in his generation” so I trust will they. May they do it though through a pathway of blood.

Six years ago we were attracted by a vision to recapture that simplicity and, although we can’t say we are there yet (because it involves more than leaving a building), we know we did the right thing and aren’t looking back. However, following the vision did leave us with an interesting dilemma. What does a house church do with a building?

Well it actually didn’t turn out to be much of a dilemma since, as it turned out, there were many with a different vision that were happy to use it. In fact over the ensuing years four other churches, the local bridge club and our own successful playground were happy to call it home. And while they did so we wrestled with our own longer-term vision for the building.

And the result of our wrestling? We’re going back!

Let me explain …

When we stepped out of old style church I also stepped out of paid ministry, meaning I now needed a job. After various short time jobs, including driving a bread van and early morning cleaning the local Sailing Club, I was eventually snapped up by the local Salvation Army to manage their Red Shield Family Store (Op Shop). And although it turned out to be a God thing, re-employing my natural skills and putting me in touch with the community in a way that I never was before, the down side was that I inherited a shop building that was awkward, hot and very un-inviting. It didn’t take long before I knew we needed another building. And … well yes, you guessed it. After searching all over town for a more suitable place I found the keys to the perfect building hanging up in our kitchen.

And last week, after some months of arm-wrestling with beaurocracy and a couple of weeks of transforming a sparsely used meeting place into a potentially week-long meeting place, we moved back to the building! We now have the classiest looking Op Shop in town in a building that you would swear was designed exactly for that purpose.

Plus, we now have triple the rental income coming in to sow into local and overseas projects, such as the school we are helping Lhoy and Venus Edaniol build in the Philippines.

How wonderful and surprising is our God? Who would have thought that He would lead us back into something we thought we had no further use for? Or that I’d be pleased to be going back? And I am. The Op Shop represents a great opportunity to befriend a whole level of people, both shoppers and volunteer workers, who may never have stepped into the building for a church service but who may well be lined up by God to experience his love via a different and more inviting channel.

Thank God for the Salvos! And thank God for the building!

______________________________________________________

Dear Friend,

It is with a certain fearfulness that I respond to your inquiry, for I am not an authority on such things. I can certainly relate to your reluctance at being identified among the company of the prophets when so many false apostles, prophets, and teachers abound. I wish I could point you in a proper direction, but I can only point you towards the Lord. It is He who selects His messengers, and I have nothing to offer you by way of what to do.

At most, perhaps you can look upon me as an example of what NOT to do, and take some word of counsel from a weak brother who has made many mistakes and endured many failures along the way. Perhaps you too will have to make even the same mistakes in order to learn, yet following my advice could perhaps help you to avoid the unnecessary heartache and cruelty inflicted upon yourself and others when thinking that you are doing God a service.

I would counsel you, first of all, to be a Christian. Do not spend too much time focused on that which is prophetic. Do not come to others as a prophet, but as a child. Let Christ be your obsession, not the prophetic word. For “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” There need not be turmoil in your heart about your calling; it is clear that you are among those that are “the Called, according to His purpose.” And what is His purpose? That you be “conformed to the image of His dear Son.” That, above all, is your first calling.

Many are eager to wear the Prophet’s mantle, but are reluctant to bear the Christian’s cross. This cannot be. Given the choice between Christian or Prophet, choose Christian. Serve God as the earthen vessel you are, in the place you find yourself to be. Perhaps the Lord will indeed use you in some prophetic way, but if not then at least you have been faithful with the “one talent” you have been given. God will not give five talents to those who cannot be faithful with one, and will not give ten to those who cannot be faithful with five.

If you are a Christian first you will remember that you should walk softly, with meekness and humility, while esteeming others as better than yourself. Then the prophetic word, when and if it comes, will be seasoned with the appropriate amounts of mercy and grace. Remember that without love you will inevitably become as sounding brass – all judgment. If we cannot or will not stay in Love, God will set out to humble us shamefully before our brothers and sisters that we may know the depths of our hypocrisy and self-righteousness. That is evidence of HIS great love for all of us.

Now, concerning the prophetic word itself. God will give you the “what”, but the “when” and the “how” are left up to you. “The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.” You can be right on target with the “what”, but if you screw up the “when”, and especially the “how”, you do yourself and others unnecessary harm.

Jesus says, “Take my yoke upon you (this speaks of RESTRAINT on the way WE want to go) and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” What then? He gives us liberty to speak, but allows us to suffer for speaking out of ourselves. He bids us to be restrained, to take our liberty and give it back to Him, knowing that we can do nothing of ourselves. He does not force us to wear the yoke, but invites us saying “take My yoke.” By giving up our freedom, we will receive it again.

No, we cannot just do what Jesus did, because Jesus bore the yoke of His Father at all times. We cast off the yoke so quickly. We are untrustworthy, but He is faithful. Let us not just imitate Him, but let us learn of Him. Let us not only be familiar with His Word, but let us become acquainted with His Ways. It is not enough to memorize what He said, we must take His yoke upon us and walk in tandem with Him.

Since Christ bids us to “learn of ME”, beware of those who will try to gain access into your life with an inordinate desire to mentor or shepherd you. We may certainly seek the advice, prayers, and counsel of other mature believers. Even the little children in the Kingdom of God can teach us much. But people can only carry us so far, and there is a certain human pride which results in the teachers trying to form the students into their own image. This will not do. The Anointing, Who is the Christ, will teach you all things. His Spirit will lead you into all Truth. His grace is sufficient. There is no man or woman who can give you anything apart from what you have already in Jesus, for we have been “blessed with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ”.

Do you see dear friend, that God is more concerned with the messenger than the message? Do you see that the minister is more important than the ministry? If the messenger is wrong, the message will be wrong too. If the minister is wrong, the ministry will be wrong. And do you see that the Lord of the work is more important than the work of the Lord? Meditate on these things.

There really is no famine of the Word of God. If God is able to find the right vessel the Word will come forth in abundance. Therefore, He takes much time to mold, fashion, train, refine, purge, break down, build up, discipline and create His prophets. Yield to that process. It cannot be rushed, but it may certainly be hindered. We cannot force the Spirit, but we may certainly quench Him.

Ah, your gifts are given to you in a moment’s time, but your fruit, your character, YOU, develops over many seasons of God’s dealings. Do not be thrilled with your gifts, only observe if you are fruitful in Spirit, bearing much fruit, abounding in love, joy, peace, faithfulness, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, and self-control. You can be sure that there are more gifted people in the world than you, yet the fruit is what will remain when the gifts pass away. Never neglect the place of abiding in Him, and you will remain a fruitful branch in the Vine.

Expect misunderstanding. Expect persecution. Expect ridicule. Expect mistreatment. Expect suffering. Expect rejection. Then, you won’t be surprised when it comes. And when it comes, shut your mouth, go to the cross, and die so you can live. Learn to kiss the hands that nail you to the cross, for as you are decreased, He is increased. It is not a better living we need, but a better dying. We cannot reach Pentecost but by way of Passover. There can be no resurrection without a crucifixion. There is no crown without a cross. To live, is Christ: to die is gain.

So if you want to boast, take pride in the things that make you weak, for when you are weak, you are strong – in Him. Be afraid of the praise and acceptance of others, for they are the fertilizer for the self-important and grandiose thoughts that are yours by nature anyway, which spring up in the shallow ground of your carnal mind. Carry about the Death of the Lord so you may have the Life of the Lord. Be ready to suffer with Him, that you may reign with Him.

And now, some practical advice:

As much as possible, stay away from money. Freely you have received, freely give.

Have no part in foolish and unlearned questions, either in the asking of them or in the answering of them. Give up your opinions and go to the cross.

Refuse to promote yourself, “your” word, or “your” ministry. If God gives you something to say, let Him see to the promotion of it.

The loftiest spiritual service will never take away from the most mundane earthly responsibility. Take care of your family, your pet, your lawn, your business, your neighbor. Keep your teeth brushed and your hair combed.

Don’t be afraid to make tents. If you want to eat, work.

Be slow to anger and quick to forgive.

Before, you would never apologize even when you knew you were wrong. Now, be willing to apologize even when you know you are right.

This is my counsel, dear friend, and perhaps something I have said in this brief letter will bear witness with you. With these words then, I commit you to the care of the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is able to complete the work which He has begun in you and see you through to maturity, as you are rooted and grounded in Him, being thoroughly equipped and strengthened by His Might which works in those who have taken up the cross to find power in weakness.

Of course, if I may serve you in any way, I hope you will call on me without hesitation, for

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden

In my last posting on tithing I set out to show that, far from tithing being put forward in the New Testament as an example of how to give, the early Christians actually stepped up to a new way  of giving, the way of the Spirit.

No longer did they live by set routines, procedures and formulas but theylived in daily conversation with the indwelling Holy Spirit who took them past the letter of the law to the heart of the law, the heart of God.

This does not mean that we have been left with no written guidelines or instructions. The writers of the New Testament have given us some pretty clear directives concerning this ‘grace of giving’ but every one of them leads us to the Spirit to be fully ‘fleshed out’. For example we are commanded to support those who minister the word to us but are not given any instructions on ‘how’ to do that. For that we need to pray, discuss among ourselves and come up with a support method that ‘seems good to ourselves and to the Holy Spirit’.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. In this article I want to look at ‘where’ our giving should be directed. Let me first of all deal with a couple of passages that have relevance to the direction of our giving but which have been, I feel, fairly misused.

ABRAHAM AND MELCHIZEDEC

Over the past fifteen years or so a teaching has taken ground that suggests that not only is tithing not actually ‘giving’ but that the ‘tithe’ is not really ours to give. It belongs to God (‘will a man rob God?’ – Malachi 3) and we are not free to do what we like with it. Specifically, it should go to the person who ministers Christ to you, the one who ministers the Gospel to you and is your primary oversight. This is based on both the New Testament instructions to honour those that teach us and the Old Testament instructions in regard to the support of the Priesthood. The prime example of this is Abraham tithing to Melchizedec (Genesis), and the recounting of this episode in Hebrews 7 is usually given as evidence of the New Testament support for tithing.  So let’s briefly take a look at that.

Firstly it should be noted that the instructions re honouring elders with double honour is very probably an allusion to some form of monetary appreciation and support¹. However the episode of Abraham tithing to Melchizedec is actually a poor example of how to do that.

1. For one, this episode seems to be a one off incident. There is no reference to this being Abraham’s regular practice (Gen 14:18-24).
2. The tithe came from the spoils of war, ‘a tenth of the plunder’ (Heb 7:4 NIV), none of which he kept anyway. It was not a part of his regular income or the first fruits of his labour.
3. The Hebrews passage (Heb 7) is not given to teach tithing but to teach the supremacy of the Priesthood of Christ, an unchanging, pre-Aaronic priesthood more in keeping with the priesthood of Melchizedec (also Heb 5:6). Yes, it may be possible to use the incident as an example of God giving us earthly fathers who we should honour, but that honour should definitely be more than a one-off gift from our winnings!
4. As far as honouring those who represent Christ to us the nearest that we have to that in the New Testament is
   1. The reference of the believers selling their goods and homes and “bringing them to the feet of the apostles” (Acts 4:35). The purpose here, however, was the distribution of such funds to the needy.
   2. Paul’s collection among the Gentiles for the Jerusalem church, an example of honouring those through whom they had received Christ (Acts 11:29).
   3. The Macedonians, who were extravagant in their support of Paul. However there is no suggestion here that it was a regular tithe (Phil. 4:18).

MALACHI AND ROBBING GOD

Undoubtedly the Malachi 3:8-12 passage is easily the proof text most quoted in any teaching on the subject of tithing. And it is a great passage, full of exiting promises of blessing to those who will honour God with their giving. As a friend wrote after my first article, “which part of the blessings which God promises in Malachi 3 wouldn’t any believer want?”

So let’s have a look at that one also.

1. Firstly, although Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament it still is in the Old Testament, and its instructions relate to an old order and to a people who are under an old covenant.  There was a professional priesthood that needed to be maintained and the tithe was clearly in place primarily for its maintenance (Deut 18:1-8).
2. It therefore needed to be distinguished from offerings, which were for a different purpose. This distinction, however, is not even alluded to in the New Testament.
3. Malachi is also writing to a hard-hearted, obstinate people. “Test me”, pleads the Lord. But His pleadings, it would seem, were to little avail, because without the Spirit, who was yet to come, the best that most could come at, as the history of the Law shows, was a tame religious routine, a far cry from the heart attitude that God sought.

Thank God that Malachi was not the last word but was followed soon by the book of Acts and by a people who did not have to “test” God but whose hearts and outlooks were radically changed – and for whom the same blessings promised through Malachi were available as they simply stepped into the grace of ‘giving’. No separation of ‘tithes’ and ‘offerings’ were now needed – since there was no longer a professional priesthood to maintain – and no comfortable formulas either. It was the day of the Spirit.

INTO THE STOREHOUSE?

There is, however, another element in Malachi that is worth looking at as we take a look now at ‘where’ our giving should be directed. It’s the storehouse.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. (Mal 3:10)

In the OT the storehouse would seem to have been a place in the temple where the tithes and offerings were kept (Neh 10:39, 13:12), remembering that most of it consisted of produce (Num. 18:26-32, Deut 18:1-8) and very little of it was cash. Some have suggested that the New Testament equivalent is heaven, where Jesus recommended we store up good deeds, in preparation for the day of reckoning to come. Interesting thought but I’m sure that it is more common these days to equate the OT storehouse with the local church, our weekly ‘silo’ from whence cometh our spiritual nurture.

And here I need to be careful (as opposed to how I have been so far). And I need to be careful because I don’t want to undermine good ministries  or direct much needed resources off to other worthy – but not necessarily spirit-inspired – causes.

However I am coming now from a position where stepping out of traditional building-centred church five years ago – and into home church – has caused me to take a new look at New Testament giving priorities. And basically NT giving seemed to flow into two priorities – (1) those itinerant workers who ‘live by the gospel’ and (2) the needy.

THOSE WHO LIVE BY THE GOSPEL

1. It is common practice among many who teach tithing to equate the modern professional ministry with the Old Testament professional ministry, namely the Aaronic priesthood, and to therefore see the tithe as basically for the ministry. However the clear teaching of the NT is that we are ALL priests and though some earn their living from the gospel that does not mean they are the New Covenant equivalent or replacement for the priesthood. The same provision for paying full-time ministries does not therefore necessarily apply.
2. In fact not all of God’s ministers in the OT were supported by the tithe. The prophets were not and NT ministers of the gospel probably have a great deal more in common with the prophets than with the priests. Perhaps the method by which the prophets were supported is therefore a more relevant guide. And most of the prophets were supported either by their own income or by the free-will support of those among whom they ministered.
3. Certainly that is what we find when we step into the New Testament, both in the ministry of Jesus and his disciples, and later in the broader ministry of the church. There is clear teaching, both from the Gospels and the Letters, that those who earn their living from the gospel are to be adequately supported (3 John 1:5-8). Indeed those who minister the word, even though they may have other sources of income, are worthy of double honour (1 Timothy 5:17) and therefore should be recompensed on top of that income. It is true that Paul occasionally lived by his own hands but this appears to be only for a time and with a clear purpose (2 Thes 3:8). Certainly he had no qualms (1) about others being supported in ministry (1 Cor 9:4-6) or (2) himself receiving support from others (2 Cor 11:9). ²
4. In reference to how ministers of the gospel are to be remunerated, however, the New Testament gives very little specific guidance other than that it is important that it happens. This suggests that local churches or individuals are free in this area to seek a system of meeting that requirement that “seems good to them and to the Holy Spirit”.

THE NEEDY

The other area where funds flowed was to the needy. Here, though, we need to be discerning. It is easy in our day, where our mail box, television set and the internet swamp us with an enormous plethora of perceived ‘needs’, to either (1) be overwhelmed by the needs around us, or (2) become indifferent the needs of others.

Jesus did NOT respond to need. Otherwise He would have become more exhausted than he sometimes was. And he would have been swayed from His real mission. We also cannot simply respond to perceived needs. And we have good examples in the scriptures to that end.

1. It would seem that giving to the poor was primarily aimed at the poor within the Christian community (Galatians 6:10). God was establishing in the earth a new community, like the community of heaven, a demonstration of love, selflessness and provision. The Gospel was not just about coming to Jesus but was about being born into community. The attraction of Jesus was to be magnified by this demonstration of how those who embraced Him loved each other.
2. The priority was to those who were unable to supply for themselves, widows, orphans, etc. So, those who were lazy or those who were not discharging their duty to their family (1 Tim. 5:8), were given short shift and a stern word of encouragement (in other words it was not like our welfare system).
3. Although there is clearly times when helping the poor was a communal effort, believers were not to simply leave it to the leaders to make arrangements for the poor. They were encouraged to show hospitality, discernment and care. They could not simply put something in the offering bag or the Red Cross envelope and get on with their own consumer lifestyles, conscience assuaged.
4. Nor was their giving a result of emotion (and guilt?) charged appeals from the pulpit (2 Cor. 9:7). Paul’s suggestion was that each family systematically put aside an amount each week (1Cor. 16:2) so that when he arrived the money would be there. No appeals necessary, no wondering where the unplanned extra funds would come from. Or opening up their wallet and taking out “the highest note that’s in there – if you truly love the Lord!”
5. This did not mean though that there were not times when the Spirit did not want them to go beyond their tidy budgets and ‘walk on water’, trusting Him for provision.

STAFF AND BUILDINGS?

In contrast to these two priorities, the greater percentage by far of giving in today’s church goes to staff, building programs and programs designed to maintain the Sunday worship service. Literally billions of dollars are tied up in bricks and mortar and platform ministry. This is the modern day ‘storehouse’ – and the main reason that many church have a vested interest in maintaining ‘tithing’.

But it would seem to me that there is nothing in the scriptures of the New Testament that support such priorities. As George Barna and Frank Viola chronicle so well in their challenging book, ‘Pagan Christianity’, these things were never a part of the first three hundred years of the church’s history; arguably it’s most vibrant and fruitful years. Be warned that an honest reappraisal of tithing may lead to a reappraisal of the ‘storehouse’.

A DANGEROUS TEACHING

When I first shared some of my thinking on this subject with a brother in our Fellowship, a true and faithful believer when it came to practicing tithes and offerings, his initial reaction was, “You can’t teach that. People won’t give!”  That, I suspect, is one of the primary reasons that many in the modern church find the questioning of tithing dangerous; the suspicion that if people are released from the obligation to tithe, that the money will dry up or at least not be as predictable.

It’s a bit like some preachers fearing to teach grace in case it leads to licence. Or not allowing tongues and prophesies in the meetings in case it leads to abuse and disorder. That kind of thinking raises the following observations.

1. There is something in us that is happier with an element of control and certainty, rules for conduct rather than each believer listening to and following the inner voice of the Spirit. The history of the church is unfortunately one of reverting to rules to bring about good Christian conduct, and the clergy, ever since the time of the Pharisees, have been good at designing and proof-texting such rules.
2. What, however, if giving was to decrease with the removal of such a rule? Wouldn’t that simply be a true indication of the motives of the heart? A sign that people’s giving was the result of law and not of a generous attitude? And isn’t God much more interested in the motive of the heart than the church’s bank balance? And shouldn’t we have a similar aspiration for our people. Actually, although the removal of any aspect of compulsion may lead to an initial drop in giving, truth is it may in the end lead to a much higher level of spiritual life resulting in a level of giving that goes well beyond our expectations. In fact when I shared this with our people another believer’s reaction was, “This means I might have to give more!”

FINALLY…

Obviously I have not been able to cover every aspect of this subject and I will need to follow this post up with a bit of a Q & A post. However I hope that the last two posts have given you some food for thought.

It is time for us to bite the bullet and step up into a new way of giving, the way of the Spirit. Such giving is unpredictable since the Spirit, like the wind, is unpredictable and we are meant to be a people who listen and follow the chase rather than live in the ‘safety’ of predictable routine and formula.

Giving that comes out of a sense of duty or routine is not what God is ultimately after. He waits to bless those who listen and, responding in faith, will come up the mountain with Him, up to another level of life in the Spirit.

Footnotes

1. Frank Viola, in ‘Pagan Christianity’, does put forth a fairly convincing alternative view on the meaning of honour in this passage.

2. I must say though that I doubt that there was anything like the level of fulltime pastors that we now have, a level which is greatly increased by a denominational system where every denomination has its own full time representative in the town, a very wasteful use of local finances and resources.